Obit

Otis “Odie” was born July 6, 1940 to Leonard and Marie (Jackson) Pxxxx in Gxxxx, Iowa. The second child of six, he lived in and attended school throughout southwest Iowa, graduating in 1959 from the last graduating class at Cxxxx High School. As the oldest boy of the brood, Odie’s childhood is riddled with stories of mischief and orneriness and many times, he was the ringleader. A favorite childhood story always told on Odie was when he and his siblings nearly burned down the barn by burning away cobwebs inside the hay tunnels – rest assured, yet another spanking was had by all.

After graduation, he went off to work, and in his travels met his future bride, L. Jeanette Sxxxx, in northeast Missouri. They married September 22, 1963 and began a family that spanned five children over 21 years. To this loving couple, a brood was born Chris Annette, Curtis Lee, Lana Renee, Torrie Tee and Amber Colette. His biggest accomplishment as a father was raising five independent free thinkers that followed his example by working hard, doing the right thing, and standing up for what they believe in.

Odie worked his entire career as a heavy equipment operator primarily as a bulldozer driver. He spent several years in different parts of the country working, but returned to Iowa to settle his family. He worked for several years for United Construction in Missouri building roadways, where he acquired numerous lifelong friends. In 1978, he began working for Pxxxx Construction, owned by his younger brother, Dennis where they worked side by side for 13 years. In 1991, he went to work with his son, Curtis, at Cxxxx in Axxxx, Iowa where Curtis continues to work to this day. Odie was very proud of the skill that Curtis has at operating heavy equipment and was not afraid to brag about his accomplishments doing so. Odie worked there until a heart attack forced his retirement in 2002.

Outside of work, Odie was an avid hunter and fisherman. His family regularly feasted on pheasant, quail, deer, and catfish. Everyone would have to admit, that turkeys were his favorite. He loved to ice fish and other winter activities included coyote hunting with his brothers, kids and friends. Otis and Jeanette liked hunting together, so one morning they went out to hunt, with only two shells left. Otis said, "that will get us three pheasants!" You can guess what Jeanette said ... well, guess what, they came home with three pheasants!

Odie loved old cars and John Deere tractors, however, he probably most prized his Harley Davidson and rode a lot of miles with his brothers and buddies on the open road. Years later, he spent many hours getting his Harley back into riding shape with his girls, Torrie and Amber at his side.

Odie appreciated a fine western movie and was probably most fond of John Wayne. He also enjoyed spending time with Jeanette especially their evenings spent playing Bingo. He wouldn’t ever admit his soft spot for animals, but his three dogs were with him up until his very last moments.

He is preceded in death by his parents Leonard and Marie Pxxxx and brothers-in-law Dale Bxxxx and Dennis O. Sxxxx, Jr.

Left to treasure his memory is his wife of 44 years, L. Jeanette Pxxxx of Cxxxx, Iowa; daughter Chris Nxxxx and fiancé John Mxxxx of Gladstone, Missouri; son Curtis Pxxxx and wife Lori of Sxxxx, Iowa; daughter Lana R... and fiancé Gene Cease of Maryville, Missouri; daughter Torrie Bxxxx and husband Darrell of Gladstone, Missouri; daughter Amber Rxxxx and husband Cole of Lenox; seven grandchildren, Laicey Nxxxx, Remmington Mxxxx, Allison and Mackenzie Pxxxx, Seth and Tanner R..., and Tayen Bxxxx; two sisters, Norma Fxxxx and husband Walter of Cxxxx and Zonette Bxxxx of Cxxxx; three brothers, Olin Pxxxx of Cxxxx, Dennis Pxxxx of Cxxxx, and Terry Pxxxx and friend Lolinda Cxxxx of Cxxxx; an uncle Robert Pxxxx and wife Joann of Bxxxx; many nieces, nephews, cousins and a countryside full of friends.

Otis was a dedicated husband, father, grandfather, brother, nephew, uncle, cousin and friend. His quick wit, warm smile and friendship will be sadly missed by his entire family and many, many friends

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Just thought you all might like to read dad's obit. I am proud to say that I wrote all of it myself (mom added the pheasant part). I was busy that night, stayed up til 2 a.m. writing this (got a second wind somewhere around midnight), downloading music and gathering photos.

We had a photo dvd with pics of dad made, and it was really neat. I was so disappointed that there were a couple pics left out. I had all the pics on a cd, and when I got to the funeral home, she couldn't get them off, so we had to quickly rescan everything, and one of my brother and dad, and one of a family pic got left out. The photo dvd's are really cool and Tanner and I really want to make some, they'd be awesome for weddings, birthday parties, maternity shots, etc. Tanner wants to make a biz out of it. I think it's an awesome idea.

I don't want to sit and talk about the details of the funeral all evening, lets just say, that it was probably the nicest funeral I've ever been to. Nice music, 2 ministers, even a horse call for dad by an old friend of the family (only time I've been to a funeral that ppl clapped :) ) It was really nice, and I know dad would have been proud of it.

At the cemetary, it *downpoured* we all had to RUN to our cars. I'm sure dad got a huge laugh out of making us all run. LOL.

So now, back home, I'm spending time on the wedding again, taking my mind off of other things. Only one week! I can't believe how close it is, and I've accomplished so much stuff!

On a final note, you should hear this song, it's so pretty (and stuck in my head). We played it at dad's funeral. It's a new song, and a tear jerker, but really pretty.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=532jxGDRjGY